Wandcore

• Type: Magical Substance / Core component of a Wand
• Source: Harvested from various magical creatures.
• Notable Wandmakers: Garrick Ollivander, Mykew Gregorovitch

A wandcore is a magical substance placed within the length of a wand. This core is what channels the magic of a witch or wizard, giving each wand its unique character. The materials are sourced from a wide variety of magical creatures, and their properties significantly influence the temperament and specialities of the wand they inhabit. According to the renowned wandmaker Garrick Ollivander, the most superior wandcores, which he termed the “Supreme Cores,” are Unicorn hair, Dragon heartstring, and Phoenix feather. He believed these three substances produced wands of the highest quality and reliability.

• Unicorn hair: This core generally produces the most consistent magic and is the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. Wands with Unicorn hair are known for their faithfulness to their first owner. A significant disadvantage is that the core may 'die' if the wand is severely mishandled, requiring replacement. The wands of Ron Weasley (his first), Cedric Diggory, and Neville Longbottom (his second) contained Unicorn hair.
• Dragon heartstring: As a rule, wands with Dragon heartstring cores are the most powerful and capable of the most flamboyant spells. They tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they bond strongly with their current owner, they can be won from them in a duel. These wands are the easiest to turn to the Dark Arts. The wands of Hermione Granger, Viktor Krum, and Bellatrix Lestrange all used this core.
• Phoenix feather: This is the rarest type of wandcore. Wands with Phoenix feather cores are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than other cores to reveal this. They are known for being very particular in choosing an owner and can sometimes act of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. The wands of Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort both contained a feather from the same Phoenix, Fawkes.

While Ollivander exclusively used the Supreme Cores, other wandmakers have used different substances.

• Veela hair: The wand of Fleur Delacour contained a single hair from her Veela grandmother. Ollivander noted that he found such wands to be “temperamental,” as the core substance comes from a creature with a volatile nature.
• Thestral tail hair: This extremely powerful and tricky substance is the core of the Elder Wand, one of the three Deathly Hallows. It is considered a substance that only a wizard who can master death can handle, making its inclusion in the most powerful wand ever created highly symbolic.

The concept of the wandcore is central to the entire series, most notably through the “brother wands” of Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. Because both of their wands contained a tail feather from Fawkes, the wands could not properly fight each other. When forced to do so in the Little Hangleton graveyard, they connected in a rare magical effect known as Priori Incantatem, revealing the last spells one of the wands had cast. This connection saved Harry's life and became a recurring plot point. The nature of different cores also serves to characterize their owners. Hermione Granger's cleverness and power are suited to her Dragon heartstring wand, while Fleur Delacour's temperamental Veela hair core reflects her heritage and personality. The unique and potent Thestral tail hair core of the Elder Wand underscores its legendary and formidable reputation.

• J.K. Rowling has expanded on wandlore significantly through the Pottermore (now Wizarding World) website. She confirmed that the three Supreme Cores are her invention and that other wandmakers use a vast array of substances. (Pottermore)
• In writings about North American magic, it is revealed that the wands made by Ilvermorny co-founder Isolt Sayre used cores such as Horned Serpent horn, Wampus cat hair, Thunderbird tail feather, and Snallygaster heartstring. (Pottermore)
• The wand of Salazar Slytherin was revealed to have a core of Basilisk horn, a substance that responded to Parseltongue. (Pottermore)
• While Ollivander found Veela hair to produce temperamental wands, his own father used it, referring to it as “substandard.” This suggests a generational shift in what is considered a high-quality wandcore among British wandmakers. (Pottermore)